The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), on the brink of closure, has secured vital funds to remain open and ensure Scottish Shedders stay connected during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local Business Raises Vital Funds For Stonehouse Men’s Shed
A family-run plumbing and heating business based in Lanarkshire is fundraising in a unique way during lockdown for Stonehouse Men’s Shed.
David Baxter of David Baxter & Sons Ltd is marking his 50th birthday by carrying out a sponsored walk in his garden for the charity. David said: “My wife, Lynn, and I have done several charity walks over the years and this year I decided to come up with a different way to still do this from home. We have previously walked the West Highland Way – a 96 mile footpath running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands – and we measured up the perimeter of our garden to see what it would take to walk the same distance. I will be walking on average 265 laps of my garden per day for five days – with my black Labrador, Shadow by my side – to raise vital funds for a local charity that I am passionate about.”
David’s wife, Lynn Baxter, added: “We wanted to do something big to mark David’s 50th year and raise money for a charity that is really making a difference in our local community. As a business and a family, we were already aware of what the Shed is doing for our community and strongly support the concept of Men’s Sheds. Our plumbing and heating business was invited to tender for the works to Stonehouse Men’s Shed and we agreed that we wanted to offer our labour for free and only charge for the materials required to further support the charity.”
Stonehouse Men’s Shed plans to carry out a £30,000 conversion on its new Shed – an unused former public convenience block in King Street in the village – to create a workshop, kitchen, meeting space and disabled access toilet. On 6th March 2020, Stonehouse Men’s Shed signed the concessionary lease of £1 per year for a new home for its 30 members and before lockdown had demolished the interior of the Shed.
Brian Adams of Stonehouse Men’s Shed said: “We are thrilled with the support received from this local business, David Baxter & Sons Ltd, to not only help with the conversion of our Shed but also to fundraise for us during this time. Although we are all currently on pause right now, we are looking forward to planning for the future of the Shed especially now that we have also just received the news that we have secured £17,000 towards the work. The funding – from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Kype Muir Wind Farm Community Trust – will go towards the project and the purchase of a portable cabin to expand the space available to our members.”
Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer at the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association, said: “We are delighted to see communities really rally together to continue to support Men’s Sheds during the outbreak. When lockdown is over, there will be more men than ever in need of Men’s Sheds for friendship and to feel connected in their communities again.”
Click here for a video of David Baxter starting his walk today (Monday 20th April 2020).
Every penny raised through David Baxter’s walk will go towards the conversion to form Stonehouse Men’s Shed’s new premises. To donate to this worthy cause, please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidBaxter21
Briefing – Sheds for Sustainable Development Project: Men’s Sheds as an alternative route for male health engagement
The latest briefing (April 2020) from the Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Sheds for Sustainable Development Project (funded by the National Lottery Community Fund) is now available.
What the study suggests is that Men’s Sheds not only have positive impacts on the physical, mental and social health of their users, but also on member’s behaviours and attitudes around their health and the health of others.
This includes INCREASES IN MEN’S HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOURS, such as learning about health issues in a ‘male friendly’ way, or improving diet and exercise. IMPROVEMENTS IN MEN’S RESILIENCE AND ABILITY TO COPE WITH ILLNESS, such as managing pain or stress. And finally, men’s INCREASED ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM ILLNESS through physical activity, social contact and sharing experiences with others.
However, what is clear is that Men’s Sheds do not have the capacity to become a ‘formalised’ or alternative health service as this is simply outside of their remit and does not fit with the Shed ‘ethos’. Therefore, health practitioners and policymakers may need to find new novel ways of working in partnership in Men’s Sheds to benefit.
Although we may be going through some tough times with current lockdowns, we look forward to continuing to share this work and keep the conversations going!
Click here to download the latest briefing
Kinross & District Men’s Shed 3D Prints Face Shields For Key Workers
Kinross & District Men’s Shed (KDMS) is producing face shields to protect key workers on the front line during the Coronavirus pandemic.
This vital piece of kit provides a barrier to stop workers from touching their face and also protection from the patient if they cough or sneeze.
KDMS is using 3D printers to make the Polylactic Acid (PLA) face shields and requests are coming in at a tremendous rate from the community. KDMS Chairman, David Conner, said: “KDMS wanted to help and one of our Shedders, Jim Forbes, started working in his shed at home to come up with a solution to meet the demand for this life-saving protective equipment. The Shedders have really stepped up and there is a team of around 12-15 of us involved in taking and recording orders, administration, printing, assembly, quality checks and delivery. More and more Shedders are becoming involved each day to lend a helping hand to this cause.
“Orders are coming in thick and fast from NHS workers, carers, testing hubs, postal workers and shop workers across Ayrshire, Perthshire, Fife, Forth Valley and Clackmannanshire. We had to set up a business model quickly and efficiently to get this right. Everything is done safely from our homes and we communicate through phone and video calls. We have fulfilled over 100 orders so far and now have an order for 100 more. We have been receiving photographs and video calls from the key workers when they have received their face shields and it makes everything that we are doing worthwhile.”
Jim Forbes, 81, said: “I had a vision to do this and researched face shields online and came up with a quality product – quick to produce, washable/reusable and light – consisting of four simple parts: the shield’s top frame; standard A4 acetate sheet protector screen; bottom support; and elastic to keep the shield firmly on the face. An advantage of the design is the bridge between the forehead and the face plate which greatly reduces breath aerosol mist (possibly infected) from entering the users’ eyes. This 3D printed version needs no tools to assemble except for a pair of scissors to trim the face plate. For Shedders with no access to a 3D printer, we also developed a second product where no tools are required other than scissors.
“Every single item is checked and the shield comes with an instruction leaflet for the end user. We initially had our one Shed 3D printer and my machine but now Culture Perth & Kinross has dedicated their five printers bringing us up to seven solely dedicated to this task. A local lady in Powmill who has been printing hundreds of shields has also bought herself another one and offered that second printer to help us if she has any free space. We are now able to produce an output of 40-50 shields per day. When it comes to delivery, there is obviously no contact. The order is simply placed in our gardens when we are notified that the person is on their way to collect.”
Shedders have been creating the products at home but are running low on supplies and have set up a Go Fund Me page to pay for much-needed supplies. The Shed has already raised over £2,000 towards materials to date.
KDMS has created assembly instructions, spreadsheets, instruction leaflet and 3D Printer files (STL files and G-codes) – now available in the SMSA members’ online resource library (log-in required) – that it is happy to share with other Sheds interested in becoming involved to help with their orders or wishing to replicate the model in their local area. Interested Sheds are urged to contact David Conner, Chairman of KDMS.
Sir Harry Burns announced as patron of the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Harry Burns – Professor of Global Public Health, University of Strathclyde – as patron of the charity for the next three years.
Sir Harry Burns was the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland for nine years (September 2005 to April 2014) and became renowned for his accomplishments in addressing health inequalities. Sir Harry was knighted in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding achievement and service to society. He is a member of the Council of Economic Advisers in Scotland and, in December 2014, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Scottish Public Service Awards, recognising his lasting contribution to public service.
Sir Harry joins the SMSA – the national charitable body of Men’s Sheds for Scotland – that supports and inspires men to set up and run their own Sheds in their local communities to improve health and wellbeing. A Men’s Shed is a shared space where men – from all walks of life – attend voluntarily to work on practical projects or simply find camaraderie, conversation and friendship.
Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer of the SMSA, said: “We are honoured to welcome Sir Harry Burns as our patron. The Men’s Sheds movement began in 2009 in Scotland and there are now 188 known open and developing Sheds (engaging over 7,000 men) across Scotland and they are continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Sir Harry’s support will be key to create awareness and gravitas of the vital work that we do to improve men’s health and wellbeing. We are very much looking forward to working closely with him.”
On his appointment, Sir Harry Burns said: “I have always admired the concept of Men’s Sheds and the growing grassroot movement in Scotland and am delighted to become the patron of the SMSA. I look forward to supporting the great work that they do in my new role.”
SMSA Hits Membership Milestone To Mark International Men’s Day
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) is celebrating reaching a significant milestone on International Men’s Day by welcoming its 2,000th individual member.
International Men’s Day, on the 19th November each year, celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities – putting the spotlight on positive role models and raising awareness of men’s wellbeing. Men’s Sheds provide community-based places to connect men through activities and social interaction and epitomise what International Men’s Day is all about.
Brian Tait, Chairperson of Dalkeith Men’s Shed – which opened its doors at Dalkeith Thistle FC to Shedders within six weeks of its first public meeting – registered as the 2,000th individual member of the SMSA. Mr Tait said: “By becoming an individual member of the SMSA – and also Dalkeith Men’s Shed becoming an official Shed Member – we can already see the benefits and our members are very keen to be involved in the growth of this movement.”
Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer at the SMSA and co-founder of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland in Aberdeenshire back in 2013, said: “We are delighted to see the advancement in this grass roots men’s health movement which recognises men from all walks of life and the contribution they make to society. In addition to our 2,000 supporters, Dalkeith Men’s Shed is amongst almost 200 Sheds in Scotland that can access a wealth of support, guidance and resources through SMSA to assist with their development and aid in our aim to reduce social isolation and improve the health and wellbeing of men.”
The SMSA exists to inspire and support Shedders (age 18+) to create Men’s Sheds across Scotland. The Association draws on its extensive experience to support new and existing groups seeking to develop and sustain a Men’s Shed through the provision of information, advice and guidance to make them operate as smoothly as possible in the local community.
The Association enables information sharing, communication and co-operation amongst Men’s Sheds in Scotland through ‘The Scottish Shedder’ magazine, interactive website, social media channels and community-based events and workshops (regarding good practice in advancing the education, health and wellbeing of men). It is free to become an individual member of SMSA and receive regular information updates and access to its online resource library and full Men’s Shed membership (with various benefits and discounts included) is only £25 per year.
Sheds for Sustainable Development Project: The Health and Wellbeing Impacts of Men’s Sheds on their Users
The Glasgow Caledonian University ‘Sheds for Sustainable Development Project’ – now in its second year of a three-year project – has released its next policy briefing outlining emerging findings from their in-depth study on the health and wellbeing impacts of Shed activity.
The University will continue to produce these short policy briefings throughout the remainder of the project. For further information on the project and for previous publications/reports please click here.
Aberchirder Men’s Shed Scoops ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Award
Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed has scooped the award and title of the first ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ and a £500 cash prize at the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11th September 2019.
The event celebrated the work carried out by Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed which began in 2016 with a team of seven men (‘The Magnificent Seven’) at the helm – fundraising and raising awareness of the Sheds Movement through popular coffee mornings and applying to local and national funders to secure a Shed. Aberdeenshire Council granted the use of the land which the Shed now stands on and in 2017, the founding Chairman cut the first sod with a donated JCB digger. By Autumn 2017, five cabins had been installed with toilets, a kitchen, a computing space and a social area followed by raised beds around the perimeter of the car park.
The team worked over 30,000 man-hours over the 104-week construction process, all the while, still engaging with its 72 members through monthly meetings and fundraising events and activities. In May 2019, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell officially opened the Shed and revealed a wall plaque to commemorate the event with over 350 members of the local community in attendance. A letter from Buckingham Palace, an invitation to the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood Palace and a meeting with Prince Edward were also amongst the celebrations to recognise the excellent work being carried out by the Shed.
During the period of the Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed, the Shedders have worked with local schools, charities, businesses and residents to provide planters, fencing, garden seats, hanging baskets, firewood and chicken coups in addition to being the envy of the community with its homegrown fruit and veg.
Mike O’Brien, Chairman of the Aberchirder & District Men’s
Shed, said: “We are so proud to win this prestigious trophy in its inaugural
year. We look forward to proudly
displaying the Targe at the Shed and wish to formally thank the Shed’s ‘Magnificent
Seven’ for all the work they have done and, in particular, the founding
Chairman Kenny Christie, whose shoes I will have a challenge to fill. Now that we are at the end of a very busy two
years, we intend to do what Men’s Sheds are all about and enjoy the company and
craik.”
The awards presentation – to showcase the commitment, impact and outstanding
work being carried out by Men’s Sheds in Scotland – recognised 15 entries and
also saw Aultbea Men’s Shed and Cromarty Firth Men’s Shed tie for the runner-up
places and each receive a £250 cash prize and gift vouchers from Axminster
Tools.
Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed in Dundee played host to the SMSA event and the engraved Scottish Targe presented to the winning Shed was produced thanks to the help, generosity and skills of several Men’s Shed members to truly encapsulate the ethos of Men’s Sheds. SMSA Chairman, Derek Keiller, designed the trophy from mahogany supplied by the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed from a 100-year-old billiards table followed by French polishing by Hamish Shepherd of Strathmore Men’s Shed in Coupar Angus.
Jason Schroeder, Executive Officer at the SMSA and co-founder of the first Men’s Shed in Scotland in Aberdeenshire back in 2013, said: “Today’s event celebrates the success and growth of the Men’s Sheds Movement in Scotland. By showcasing the award nominees and their life-changing impact it is hoped that more men will access Men’s Sheds to connect with their communities, to improve their health and wellbeing, and that new Men’s Sheds will continue to be developed across Scotland.”
Scottish Men’s Shed Research – first report
Glasgow Caledonian University is presently busy with a 3 year research project about Scottish Men’s Sheds sustainability and the health impacts on those men attending Men’s Sheds. Fifteen months into the research please find attached their first official output from the project. This is a short briefing report outlining the main sustainability and development challenges that Sheds are facing in Scotland, based on data collected.
Showing the increasing need of what the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association delivers on and why we need more investment and support in 2019 in this under represented male health movement.
Click to download
New SCIO online charity application
NEW ONLINE GUIDANCE FOR SCIO APPLICATIONS
The Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) are currently testing an online application form if your Shed is in development and will become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).
For the first time you can do it all online and not use the old postal system which will eventually be phased out. You can start your application by following this link: https://status.oscr.org.uk/
The form includes instructions and links to their guidance. Any applications submitted online as part of this testing exercise will receive early attention from our case officers.
We would be very grateful for any feedback you have for us once you have finished submitting your application. Your feedback will help us to improve the form.
If you have any queries about the form, please contact martin.tyson@oscr.org.uk or anne.storrie@oscr.org.uk